Teams revel in post-Jordan prospects

Jorge L. Ortiz, OF THE EXAMINER STAFF

Published 4:00 am, Friday, May 7, 1999

There's a suspicion that the day Michael Jordan retired, the denizens of Utah took to the streets to celebrate en masse - albeit with 3.2 beer - the removal of the last obstacle to their heroes' conquest of a championship.

Certainly, Mike the gravity-oblivious had been pretty much all that stood between the Jazz and a double coronation. The Chicago Bulls had won the NBA title in each of his last six full seasons (out of eight overall), the last two by knocking off Utah in the Finals.

But with Jordan busy sinking bogeys at some high-priced golf course and the Bulls disbanded, several other pretenders to the throne now believe they're just as entitled as the Jazz, especially the Heat and Pacers in the East, as well as the Spurs and Blazers in the West.

"Everybody feels like they have a chance and there's nothing looming down there in the specter of Michael Jordan," said Miami coach Pat Riley, who accurately predicted a few years ago that nobody would dethrone Jordan's Bulls.

"Teams still thought they had a chance to win, but it was more of a fantasy kind of a feeling than a reality," Spurs forward Sean Elliott said of the days when Jordan was king of the court.

The present-day reality is no NBA playoffs since the middle of the decade look as wide open as the ones that begin on Saturday. Here's a preview:

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Quarterfinals&lt;

*San Antonio vs. Minnesota: The Spurs closed out the season by winning 12 of their last 13 to claim home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, while the Timberwolves barely stumbled in. Spurs in three.

*Portland vs. Phoenix: These two teams also were going in different directions late in the season, with the Blazers losing four of five and the Suns winning nine of 12. But Phoenix has no answer for Portland's depth or its overwhelming strength inside and on the boards. Blazers in four.

*Utah vs. Sacramento: The Kings and their multitalented frontline gave the Jazz fits in three overtime games this season, and would continue to present a challenge if Chris Webber were healthy. With his back acting up, Sacramento has scarcely a chance. Jazz in four.

*L.A. Lakers vs. Houston: The Rockets will rue the day a couple of weeks ago when they spanked the Lakers on national TV, finally prompting some soul-searching in L.A., which hasn't lost since. Charles Barkley gets foiled again. Lakers in five.

Semifinals&lt;

*Spurs vs. Lakers: There's not much affection between David Robinson and Shaquille O'Neal, once a San Antonio high schooler who felt slighted by his idol. But while Shaq may get his, not many other Lakers will find the range against the league's third-stingiest defense. Spurs in six.

*Jazz vs. Blazers: Remember that Portland team everybody has mocked for its dumb plays the last few years? It will resurface in this series against the silky-smooth Jazz, who will have the home-court edge (despite the lower seeding) at the dreaded Delta Center by virtue of their superior record. Jazz in five.

Conference Finals&lt;

*Spurs vs. Jazz: San Antonio won 31 of its last 36 to earn the home-court edge, but it's at the cavernous Alamodome, where the advantage is diminished. Twin Towers David Robinson and Tim Duncan may neutralize Karl Malone's offense, but the Jazz have more weapons than before with the continued improvement of Bryon Russell and Howard Eisley. This one promises to be a classic. Jazz in seven.

AHL: EASTERN CONFERENCE

Quarterfinals&lt;

*Miami vs. New York: Mourning vs. Ewing. Riley vs. all of Gotham. Great theater for a first-round series. Much as they may get pumped for Miami, the Knicks are still a disjointed group. Unless Mourning blows a gasket along the way, Miami should survive. Heat in five.

*Indiana vs. Milwaukee: George Karl will show Larry Bird a coaching trick or two, but it still comes down to the players, and Indiana has a playoff-tested lineup while Milwaukee's is mostly patchwork. Pacers in three.

*Orlando vs. Philadelphia: In the hyperkinetic Darrell Armstrong, Orlando has the one player who can stay with scoring champ Allen Iverson. The 76ers did claim the season series 2-1 by holding the Magic to 37 percent shooting, but Philly doesn't have anybody to match up with 6-foot-7 Penny Hardaway. Magic in five.

*Atlanta vs. Detroit: The Hawks made a late push by winning nine of their last 11, and they boast the league's toughest defense to score against. Should be good enough to get past the dueling Pistons. Hawks in five.

Semifinals&lt;

*Miami vs. Atlanta: Get ready for some football scores in this series, which the NBA should try to ban from the airwaves. With any luck Mourning and Dikembe Mutombo will knock each other out with vicious elbows and the action will pick up. Heat in six.

*Indiana vs. Orlando: Free agent bust Isaac Austin figures to spend most of the time on the bench because of foul trouble incurred trying to guard 7-4 Rik Smits, forcing rookie Michael Doleac to play extended minutes. Hardly the way to advance in the playoffs. Jalen Rose provides Indiana a terrific defender off the bench against Hardaway. Pacers in five.

Conference Finals&lt;

*Miami vs. Indiana: A battle of brawn and will where execution and discipline often mean the difference at the end. Both teams have those qualities and plenty of playoff experience, so expect big plays to determine the outcome. Few players deliver more of those than Tim Hardaway. Heat in seven.

Now Playing:

NBA FINALS&lt;

*Miami vs. Utah: The West's representative might just as well be San Antonio, Portland or even the Lakers on a good day. They're all superior to the best the East can offer. Karl Malone atones for previous Finals flops with an MVP performance and reprises that joyous scene from two years ago, engulfing John Stockton and Jeff Hornacek in a huge hug as the Jazz claim their first title. O'Doul's all around. Jazz in five.&lt;

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